Never too late to be charming

Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor talk about their roles in their new film, Ek Villain

As per Bollywood Standard Time, actors arrive at least two hours late for media interactions. And so was the case with Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor. The duo was in town to promote their latest film Ek Villain and arrived fashionably late. But once they made a grand entry, they managed to charm with good looks and snappy answers.

Sidharth and Shraddha spoke of the fun they had working on the sets and Shraddha sang a line for television channels. The two have been recognised as promising young talent in Bollywood. Sidharth’s performances in Student of the Year and Hasee Toh Phasee have received a fair amount of praise from critics and Shraddha won a nomination for Filmfare Best Actress Award for Aashiqui 2, another Mohit Suri-directed film.

Shakti Kapoor’s daughter and Padmini Kolhapure’s niece, Shraddha is all praise for what Aashiqui 2 did for her career. “The film changed my life. It feels wonderful to see the film appreciated everywhere. I have to work very hard to live up to the appreciation and applause.”

In Ek Villain, a romantic thriller directed by Mohit Suri, Shraddha plays Ayesha, “the only sunshine in the film,” offers Sidharth. “She is a lively girl, she loves to help other people and she keeps cracking jokes and laughs at them too,” says Shraddha, adding, “She is the rainbow between the two grey-shaded characters.”

Shraddha is passionate about sports. “I have played a number of sports, particularly football. And I am a licensed scuba diver,” says the actor, who was supposed to study in Bangalore. That she didn’t do so because her father wanted her to study in Mumbai is another story. “I am glad I am here to promote the film.” Before she rushes off to do her next interview, Shraddha says, with a smile, “I am looking forward to my next film — Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider.” The third in Bhardwaj’s Shakespeare series after Maqbool (Macbeth) and Omkara (Othello), Haider is an adaptation of Hamlet.

There’s a mad scramble going on to speak and click pictures with Sidharth. The dashing youngster reveals a quieter side during the interview. His character Guru in Ek Villain is dark and intense. “He’s completely different from what I am in real life. He has a troubled past and is rude, ruthless and brash. The film shows how love is the only way to reform a person, and Ayesha does that to him.”

When it comes to preparing for a role, Sidharth says going by what the director wants is important, though an actor brings his own interpretations. “I generally pick one characteristic that stands out and develop that.” Sidharth has also worked as an assistant director for My Name is Khan. “It was an academic opportunity to make up for all the time I didn’t spend in Bollywood.”